2. amps-preamps
  3. 180950-96791

My Amp is good but probably the weak point

I have an Odyssey Audio Khartago Stereo. It’s got the larger tranny, upgraded wiring, RCA and Speaker posts. It might have one step up from the baseline circuit board (I don’t recall). It’s the first piece I bought and it’s been great. 
but as my system has come together I feel like it’s a choke point though I feel the sound of the system is superb.

So with that I began researching and feel like the Coda #8 would be a strong contender to replace it. My research has also included a JC5 and sending my amp back to Klaus to upgrade to Kismet level.

As of now:

sl1200GR (KAB damper, Isanoe feet)

AT33PTG/II

Sutherland 20/20 MK1 (+ LPS)

Denafrips Athena line stage

Odyssey Khartago

Klipsch Heresy IV

Rythmik L12 (pair)

RCA, XLR, speaker and power cords are Audio Envy

anyine have thoughts? I feel like a part of me wants to go Kismet but that’s 2-6 months to get that done. I have a Vidar as a backup amp but it’s not anywhere near as good as the Odyssey.

$5k limit and looking used. Solid state only.

gochurchgo
avanti1960
1,409 posts
 

Definitely not the JC5 with your Heresy speakers!  

High powered solid state amps are a definite miss match.  

If you like the Klipsch sound it can be made refined and dynamic with a robust tube integrated amplifier.  The Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III has amazing synergy with Klipsch heritage speakers including the Heresy, Forte and LaScala.  

One of the best sounding systems I have heard was the Cronus Magnum and LaScala speakers.  Really nice.  

The Atlas Magnum is the equivalent power amp if you do not need an integrated,  or the Rogue Stereo 100 if you want balanced inputs.  

Save some money and get better sound!

gochurchgo OP
892 posts
 

@mofojo  none. I heard about people having issues with Odyssey amps and preamps but mine, along with the Athena (which is unity gain) is dead quiet.

gochurchgo OP
892 posts
 

@avanti1960  my only experience with tubes want positive so I’d rather stay solid state. In the very beginning I was really looking at the CMII

avanti1960
1,409 posts
 

@gochurchgo 

if you must stay solid state then a clean Class A design is best for your speakers.  The Pass Labs XA25 is the best sounding amp I have owned and would be perfect for you, quality used ones are available for a reasonable price.  

mofojo
2,173 posts
 

Other than the slight noise issues I had with my Odysseys they were definitely one of the best sounding amps I’ve owned. If your looking for a different flavor as others have said I would demo some new speakers. IMO if you like the live kinda in your face Klipsch sound maybe look at Focal. Very dynamic but still does the audiophile stuff. That said I have not heard any newer Klipsch other than the new Cornwall but that was really low volume and music I didn’t know. 

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